On 6 April 2013, Commodore Jorge Palma
(Portuguese Navy) took over as Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU
NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta from Rear Admiral Pedro Garcia De
Paredes (Spanish Navy), following a change-of-command-ceremony in
Djibouti.

The Deputy Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR, Rear Admiral Eric
Dupont, presided over the ceremony. Attending the handover were
distinguished guests including representatives from the Djiboutian
military and government as well as several ambassadors from numerous EU
Member States and other nations, including his Excellency Antonio Luis
Cotrim, Ambassador of Portugal to the Republic of Djibouti. Also many
Commanding Officers and representatives from EU Naval Force units in
port were present.

Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Eric Dupont, deeply honoured
to preside over to this handover ceremony, said, "Let me say to Rear
Admiral Pedro Garcia de Paredes, with much sincerity, how impressed I am
with his achievements. Admiral, under your dynamic leadership, the
Force accomplished all its objectives. Your personal dedication and your
relentless commitment were outstanding. You shall now hand over your
command with pride of having led the EU Naval Force to success and
accomplished your mission. I wish you and your staff a safe return home.
Commodore Jorge Novo Palma, I congratulate you to your appointment as
new Force Commander. I have noted how well prepared your staff is. I
have noted the energy and willpower that drive you and your staff. I am
very confident that you are ready to lead the units of the EU's counter
piracy operation off the Horn of Africa. The period to come will be
challenging for our operation. It will be challenging for you,
Commodore, and your staff. Yes, figures are good. Yes, our action has
been effective. But piracy remains. Today, a number of pirate groups are
still active. They are a real and actual threat. They hunt for merchant
ships, they hunt for hostages. It is our task, your task, to protect
the shipping, deter the pirates, and disrupt them. They hamper the
evolution of Somalia towards a place where Somalis will have the
opportunity to live in peace and dignity. I wish Commodore Novo Palma
all the best and much success in the coming months."

In his address, outgoing Force Commander Rear Admiral Pedro García de
Paredes said, "In my last words as Force Commander of EU NAVFOR
Atalanta, it´s a real honor to have the opportunity to address all of
you and to thank the presence of all the distinguished guests on ESPS
Mendez Nuñez´s flight deck. After four months on duty I can say, in
general terms, that the situation is a little better than it was on the
6th December 2012. The good news is that the common efforts of the
counter-piracy forces, the commitment of the shipping and fishing
industries, as well as the improved co-ordination among all, have
prevented pirates from successfully taking control of any vessel over
the past four months. EU Naval Force units stopped 4 out 6 Pirates
Action Groups at sea. The other two turned back ashore without any
success. Out of 29 suspected pirates detained by our units, 21 were
transferred for prosecution after a complex, difficult and persistent
job taking and collecting a complete evidence packages. The bad news is
that pirates are still out there; ready to catch a new prey to demand a
high ransom for ship and hostages to feed their criminal business. They
still hold 60 innocent seafarers in deplorable conditions. Meanwhile,
well known pirates can move with complete freedom and impunity through
many places in Somalia, keeping sanctuaries from which they can prepare
and launch their assaults. Therefore, we must be sure that any sign of
complacency or weakness in our commitment is banished in all levels.
This clear message has to be released to all audiences and stressed
within the industry to continue with their Best Management Practices
implementation effort. Otherwise the situation could easily be reverted
if we do not continue with the present determination. Finally, Commodore
Novo Palma, dear Jorge, I would like to conclude with my best wishes to
you and your staff. Good luck and all the best for the forthcoming
months."

Following the hand-over of command, the incoming Force Commander
Commodore Jorge Palma said, "It is a privilege to take over from Rear
Admiral Pedro Garcia de Paredes. Successful pirate attacks are reduced,
with the EU Naval Force continuing to apply pressure on their activity.
Nevertheless, we all know that complacency at this moment would hamper
the massive effort for the security in the region. With the situation
improving, but acknowledging that piracy is not over, we must adapt with
agility to evolving political, operational and tactical circumstances. I
am committed to maintaining EU NAVFOR's main achievements of a 100 per
cent success rate in providing protection to World Food Programme (WFP)
shipments to Somalia, as well as those of the African Union Mission in
Somalia (AMISOM). Notwithstanding these tasks, we will remain focused on
deterring and disrupting acts of piracy; continue contributing to the
protection of vulnerable shipping within the Internationally Recommended
Transit Corridor (IRTC) and the High Risk Area; and maintain our close
co-operation with all stakeholders; other counter piracy forces,
regional partner states and industry. We also continue to support and
co-operate with the other European Union missions, namely EUCAP Nestor
and the EU Training Mission Somalia. We will continue to provide a key
part of the EU's Comprehensive Approach to Somalia."